The Asian Network has fared even worse. Despite the growth in popularity of listening to the radio via digital platforms – on digital audio broadcasting (DAB), digital TV and online – its audience has actually fallen over the past five years, from 453,000 to just 360,000 in the last three months of last year.

The station's listening figures suggested she succeeded, but only at the cost of a furious backlash from some listeners who thought hiring tabloid-friendly DJs such as Lamb – he replaced the lower-profile Gideon Coe in the weekday morning slot – signalled a move away from the station's musical roots.

Lamb has since been moved to the weekend breakfast slot, replaced by the generally well-received Lauren Laverne.

But more digital takeup requires more digital-only content, not less. Digital platforms accounted for 20.9% of all radio listening in the last three months of 2009, a slight dip on the previous three months.

It needs to be 50% before digital radio switchover kicks in. It's not just the fate of 6 Music and the Asian Network which is at stake.

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Other proposals being considered as part of strategic review include axing Asian Network, placing cap on sports rights outlay, selling off BBC magazines and cutting film and TV show acquisition budget. By Mark Sweney and Maggie Brown